System and method for switch management

ABSTRACT

A system and method for switch management includes a switch including a plurality of switch modules, and a status display panel. The plurality of switch modules includes one or more power supply modules for providing power to the switch, one or more cooling modules for cooling the switch, and one or more switching modules. The switch is configured to detect the plurality of switch modules, interrogate the detected switch modules, hierarchically organize status information based on information associated with the interrogated switch modules, and display the organized status information on the status display panel. The status information is displayed on the status display panel using an interactive status display system. In some examples, the switch further includes a plurality of status indicators, and the switch is further configured to temporarily activate the status indicators in response to active use of the status display system.

CROSS-REFERENCED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/917,553 filed on Jun. 13, 2013, which is incorporated byreference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to information handlingsystems, and more particularly to switch management. But it would berecognized that the invention has a much broader range of applicability.

As the value and use of information continues to increase, individualsand businesses seek additional ways to process and store information.One option is an information handling system (IHS). An IHS generallyprocesses, compiles, stores, and/or communicates information or data forbusiness, personal, or other purposes. Because technology andinformation handling needs and requirements may vary between differentapplications, IHSs may also vary regarding what information is handled,how the information is handled, how much information is processed,stored, or communicated, and how quickly and efficiently the informationmay be processed, stored, or communicated. The variations in IHSs allowfor IHSs to be general or configured for a specific user or specific usesuch as financial transaction processing, airline reservations,enterprise data storage, or global communications. In addition, IHSs mayinclude a variety of hardware and software components that may beconfigured to process, store, and communicate information and mayinclude one or more computer systems, data storage systems, andnetworking systems.

Additionally, some embodiments of information handling systems includenon-transient, tangible machine-readable media that include executablecode that when run by one or more processors, may cause the one or moreprocessors to perform the steps of methods described herein. Some commonforms of machine readable media include, for example, floppy disk,flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, any other magnetic medium,CD-ROM, any other optical medium, punch cards, paper tape, any otherphysical medium with patterns of holes, RAM, PROM, EPROM, FLASH-EPROM,any other memory chip or cartridge, and/or any other medium from which aprocessor or computer is adapted to read.

Computer networks form the interconnection fabric that enables reliableand rapid communications between computer systems and data processorsthat are in both close proximity to each other and at distant locations.These networks create a vast spider web of intranets and internets forhandling all types of communication and information. Making all of thispossible is a vast array of network switching products that makeforwarding decisions in order to deliver packets of information from asource system or first network node to a destination system or secondnetwork node. Due to the size, complexity, and dynamic nature of thesenetworks, sophisticated network switching products are often used toimplement the interconnection fabric.

In order to provide improved flexibility between users with differentneeds, network switching products are often designed for scalability. Insome examples, the network switching products may be based around aflexible chassis-based system. In some examples, the flexiblechassis-based system includes a chassis with one or more slots foraccepting modules. In some examples, the modules may include powersupplies. In some examples, the modules may include fan trays. In someexamples, the modules may include switching modules. Monitoring and/ormanaging the chassis-based system with the various modules may includemultiple complex tasks. As the number and/or type of modules becomesmore varied, the complexity of the monitoring and/or management tasksmay increase in complexity.

Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide an improved switch designthat provides improved support for monitoring and/or managing theswitch.

SUMMARY

According to one embodiment, a switch includes a plurality of switchmodules, and a status display panel. The plurality of switch modulesincludes one or more power supply modules for providing power to theswitch, one or more cooling modules for cooling the switch, and one ormore switching modules. The switch is configured to detect the pluralityof switch modules, interrogate the detected switch modules,hierarchically organize status information based on informationassociated with the interrogated switch modules, and display theorganized status information on the status display panel. The statusinformation is displayed on the status display panel using aninteractive status display system.

According to another embodiment, a method for managing a switch includesdetecting a plurality of switch modules, interrogating the detectedswitch modules, hierarchically organizing status information based oninformation associated with the interrogated switch modules, anddisplaying the organized status information on a status display panelusing an interactive status display system. The plurality of switchmodules includes one or more power supply modules for providing power tothe switch, one or more cooling modules for cooling the switch, and oneor more switching modules

According to yet another embodiment, an information handling systemincludes a switch, a plurality of status indicators, and a statusdisplay panel. The switch is configured to receive a plurality of switchmodules including one or more power supply modules for providing powerto the switch, one or more cooling modules for cooling the switch, andone or more switching modules. The switch is configured to detect theplurality of switch modules, interrogate the detected switch modules,hierarchically organize status information based on informationassociated with the interrogated switch modules, detect addition andremoval of switch modules during switch operation, update the statusinformation based on information associated with the added or removedswitch modules, display the organized status information on the statusdisplay panel using an interactive status display system; andtemporarily activate the status indicators in response to active use ofthe status display system. The status display panel is positioned on theswitch so as to not reduce a total number of network ports supported bythe one or more switching modules.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a simplified front view diagram of a chassis according tosome embodiments.

FIGS. 2A and 2B show simplified front view diagrams of switching modulesaccording to some embodiments.

FIGS. 3A and 3B show simplified diagrams of status displays according tosome embodiments.

FIGS. 4A-4D show simplified diagrams of status displays according tosome embodiments.

FIGS. 5A and 5B show simplified diagrams of status displays according tosome embodiments.

FIGS. 6A-6C show simplified diagrams of status message displaysaccording to some embodiments.

FIGS. 7A-7B show simplified diagrams of status displays supportingcontrol according to some embodiments.

FIG. 8 shows simplified diagrams of a status display hierarchy accordingto some embodiments.

FIG. 9 shows a simplified diagram of a method of managing a switchaccording to some embodiments.

In the figures, elements having the same designations have the same orsimilar functions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, specific details are set forth describingsome embodiments of the present invention. It will be apparent, however,to one skilled in the art that some embodiments may be practiced withoutsome or all of these specific details. The specific embodimentsdisclosed herein are meant to be illustrative but not limiting. Oneskilled in the art may realize other elements that, although notspecifically described here, are within the scope and the spirit of thisdisclosure. In addition, to avoid unnecessary repetition, one or morefeatures shown and described in association with one embodiment may beincorporated into other embodiments unless specifically describedotherwise or if the one or more features would make an embodimentnon-functional.

For purposes of this disclosure, an IHS may include any instrumentalityor aggregate of instrumentalities operable to compute, classify,process, transmit, receive, retrieve, originate, switch, store, display,manifest, detect, record, reproduce, handle, or utilize any form ofinformation, intelligence, or data for business, scientific, control,entertainment, or other purposes. For example, an IHS may be a personalcomputer, a PDA, a consumer electronic device, a display device ormonitor, a network server or storage device, a switch router or othernetwork communication device, or any other suitable device and may varyin size, shape, performance, functionality, and price. The IHS mayinclude memory, one or more processing resources such as a centralprocessing unit (CPU) or hardware or software control logic. Additionalcomponents of the IHS may include one or more storage devices, one ormore communications ports for communicating with external devices aswell as various input and output (I/O) devices, such as a keyboard, amouse, and a video display. The IHS may also include one or more busesoperable to transmit communications between the various hardwarecomponents.

FIG. 1 shows a simplified front view diagram of a chassis 100 accordingto some embodiments. As shown in FIG. 1, chassis 100 is configuredaround a box-like frame 110, sometimes called the hem. Frame 110 isconfigured with slots to receive various types of modules depending uponthe desired configuration and function of the modules inserted intochassis 100. Although chassis 100 is depicted with slots on the front ofchassis 100, as is discussed further below, one of ordinary skill in theart would understand that chassis 100 may further include slots forinstalling modules on the rear and/or some other side of chassis 100. Insome examples, the modules may include plug-and-play style modules. Insome examples, the plug-and-play style modules may support hot swappingallowing the plug-and-play style modules to be safely inserted, removed,and/or replaced during operation of chassis 100. In some examples,chassis 100 may be used to house a network switching device or switch.In some examples, chassis 100 may include one or more interconnectionmechanisms (not shown). In some examples, the one or moreinterconnection mechanisms may include a back plane. In some examples,the one or more interconnection mechanisms may include a mid-plane.

Chassis 100 includes one or more power supply slots 121-129 foraccepting one or more power supply modules. Although only four powersupply slots 121-129 are shown in FIG. 1, one of ordinary skill in theart would understand that any number of power supply slots may beincluded in the one or more power supply slots 121-129. In someexamples, any number of the one or more power supply slots may be useddepending upon power requirements of other modules to be inserted intochassis 100. In some examples, each of the one or more power supplymodules may be of different types and/or provide different voltage andcurrent levels. In some examples, the one or more power supply modulesmay be plug-and-play style power supply modules.

Chassis 100 further includes one or more switching module slots 131-139for accepting one or more switching modules. Although only nineswitching module slots 131-139 are shown in FIG. 1, one of ordinaryskill in the art would understand that any number of switching moduleslots may be included in the one or more switching module slots 131-139.A number and/or a type of switching modules that may be inserted in theone or more switching module slots 131-139 may be quite varied. In someexamples, the one or more switching modules slots 131-139 may receiveone or more route processing modules (RPMs). In some examples, the oneor more switching modules slots 131-139 may receive one or more linecards. In some examples, the one or more switching modules slots 131-139may receive one or more switching fabric modules (SFMs). In someexamples, the one or more switching modules slots 131-139 may receiveone or more uplink modules. In some examples, the one or more switchingmodules may be plug-and-play style switching modules. In some examples,the one or more switching modules slots 131-139 may also be configuredto receive one or more power supply modules and/or one or more coolingmodules.

Chassis 100 further includes one or more cooling module slots 140 foraccepting one or more cooling modules. Although only one cooling slot140 is shown in FIG. 1, one of ordinary skill in the art wouldunderstand that any number of cooling module slots may be included inthe one or more cooling module slots 140. In some examples, any numberof the one or more cooling module slots may be used depending uponcooling requirements of the other modules to be inserted into chassis100. In some examples, each of the one or more cooling modules may be ofdifferent types and/or provide different cooling capabilities. In someexamples, the one or more cooling modules may include fan trays. In someexamples, each of fan trays may include one or more cooling fans. Insome examples, the one or more cooling modules may be plug-and-playstyle cooling modules.

FIG. 2A shows a simplified front view diagram of a switching module 210according to some embodiments. As shown in FIG. 2A, switching module 210includes a plurality of ports 220. In some examples, switching module210 may be installed in any one of the switching module slots 131-139.Each of the ports 220 provides a connection point for coupling switchingmodule 210 to another port in a network using a network link. In someexamples, switching module 210 may be a module selected from a groupconsisting of a line card, an uplink module, a RPM, a SFM, and the like.As also shown in FIG. 2A, each of the ports 220 includes two statusindicators 230. In some examples, the status indicators may indicate astatus of the respective port 220. In some examples, the status mayinclude an indication of whether an operative network link is coupled tothe respective port 220. In some examples, the status may include anindication of whether network traffic is being exchanged using therespective port 220. In some examples, each of the status indicators maybe a LED or similar light-emitting device.

In some embodiments, reliance on status indicators 230 to indicate thestatus of the respective port may be limited. In some examples, wheneach of the status indicators 230 is either on or off, use of two statusindicator may at best indicate four status conditions. In some examples,when the status indicators 230 also support multiple colors (e.g., amulti-color LED) and/or flashing, a number of status conditions may beincreased, but may additionally result in less easily interpreted statusconditions. In some examples, there may not be sufficient space onswitching module 210 around the plurality of ports 220 to document thevarious status conditions. In some examples, as the number of conditionsincreases, more complex documentation and/or more sophisticatedoperators are required. In some examples, this may be compounded bydozens or even hundreds or more status indicators 230 for a fullypopulated switch.

In some embodiments, status indicators 230 may not always be visible toan operator of the switch. In some examples, switching module 210 may beinstalled in a rear-side of a chassis. In some examples, an operatorlocated on a front-side of the chassis may not have visual access to seethe status indicators 230 of switching module 210 when it is installedon the rear-side of the chassis. In some examples, the opposite mayoccur when the operator is to the rear-side of the chassis and switchingmodule 210 is installed on the front-side of the chassis.

In some embodiments, use of large numbers of status indicators 230 mayadd significant cost to the operation of the switch. In some examples,when the switch includes 100s of ports, the status indicators 230 mayconsume 40, 50, or even more Watts of power. Over an expected servicelifetime for the switch, this may result in power consumption of 1000sof kilowatts. In some examples, the power consumed by the statusindicators 230 may require larger power supply modules for the switch.In some examples, the power consumed by the status indicators 230 mayrequire larger cooling modules for the switch. In some examples, one ormore of these factors may add to a life-time cost of operating switch.

FIG. 2B shows a simplified front view diagram of a switching module 250according to some embodiments. As shown in FIG. 2B, switching module 250includes a plurality of ports 220. In some examples, switching module250 may be installed in any one of the switching module slots 131-139.Each of the ports 220 provides a connection point for coupling switchingmodule 250 to another port in a network using a network link. In someexamples, switching module 250 may be a module selected from a groupconsisting of a line card, an uplink module, a RPM, a SFM, and the like.As also shown in FIG. 2B, each of the ports 220 includes two statusindicators 230. In some examples, the status indicators may indicate astatus of the respective port 220.

Switching module 250 may further include a status display panel 260. Insome examples, status display panel 260 may provide a more intuitiveand/or user-friendly interface for displaying status of the switch tothe operator. In some examples, status display panel 260 may have lowpower consumption. In some examples, status display panel 260 may be aLCD panel. In some examples, status display panel 260 may be amulti-line LCD panel. In some examples, status display panel 260 may bea dot-matrix LCD panel. In some examples, status display panel 260 maybe a color display. In some examples, status display panel 260 may betouch-sensitive.

In some embodiments, when status display panel 260 is used in theswitch, status indicators 230 may be partially and/or fully disabled. Insome examples, status indicators 230 may be disabled unless activatedusing status display panel 260. In some examples, partially and/or fullydisabling status indicators 230 may decrease power consumption and/orreduce cooling needs of the switch.

In some examples, status display panel 260 may reduce a number of ports220 included in switching module 250. In some examples, to avoidreducing the number of ports 220, status display panel 260 may beincluded in only some of the switching modules installed in the switch.In some examples, only one status display panel 260 may be included withthe switch. In some examples, status display panel 260 may be includedin switching modules where the number of ports 220 is not reduced. Insome examples, status display panel 260 may be included in RPMs. In someexamples, status display panel 260 may be included in cooling modules.In some examples, status display panel 260 may be controlled by one ormore processors of switching module 250. In some examples, statusdisplay panel 260 may be controlled by one or more processors of an RPMseparate from switching module 250.

FIG. 3A shows a simplified diagram of a status display 310 according tosome embodiments. As shown in FIG. 3A, status display 310 includesvarious forms of indicia designed to convey status information regardinga switch such as a chassis-based switch. In some examples, statusdisplay 310 may be displayed on status display panel 260. Status display310 includes a label 320 indicating that status display 310 isassociated with an active RPM of the switch. In some examples, theactive RPM of the switch may be a master RPM for the switch. In someexamples, status display 310 may be a home screen for a status displaysystem. In some examples, the status display system may be organizedhierarchically.

Status display 310 also includes a button 330 for further activating thestatus display system. In some examples, button 330 may temporarilyactivate one or more status indicators of the switch. In some examples,the one or more status indicators may be status indicators 230. In someexamples, activating button 330 may activate the one or more statusindictors for a specified duration. In some examples, the specifiedduration may be one minute. In some examples, the specified duration maybe five minutes. In some examples, the specified duration may beconfigured using the status display system. In some examples, thespecified duration may be restarted any time any button on statusdisplay 310 is activated.

In some examples, status display 310 may further include an intensitycontrol 340. In some examples, intensity control 340 may be used toincrease and/or decrease a brightness and/or a contrast of statusdisplay 310. In some examples, intensity control 340 may be used toadapt to ambient light levels. In some examples, activating an upper endof intensity control 340 may increase the brightness of status display310. In some examples, activating a lower end of intensity control 340may decrease the brightness of status display 310.

FIG. 3B shows a simplified diagram of a status display 350 according tosome embodiments. As shown in FIG. 3B, status display 350 includesvarious forms of indicia designed to convey status information regardingthe switch. In some examples, status display 350 may be displayed onstatus display panel 260. Status display 350 includes a label 360indicating that status display 350 is associated with a passive RPM ofthe switch. In some examples, status display 350 may be a home screenfor the status display system. Status display 350 further includes abutton 370 for further activating the status display system. In someexamples, button 370 may operate similarly to button 330. In someexamples, status display 350 may further include an intensity control380. In some examples, intensity control 380 may operate similarly tointensity control 340.

FIG. 4A shows a simplified diagram of a switch status display 410according to some embodiments. As shown in FIG. 4A, switch statusdisplay 410 includes various forms of indicia designed to convey statusinformation regarding a chassis (e.g., chassis 100). In some examples,switch status display 410 may be displayed on status display panel 260.In some examples, switch status display 410 may be displayed in responseto activating button 330 and/or 370. Switch status display 410 includesa label 412 indicating that switch status display 410 is displayingstatus information associated with the switch.

Switch status display 410 includes one or more navigation buttons. Theone or more navigation buttons may include a Home button 402. Homebutton 402 may be used to return to a home screen such as status display310 and/or 350. In some examples, upon returning to the home screen, theone or more status indicators may be disabled. In some examples, returnto the home screen may occur after a specified period of non-use of thestatus display system. In some examples, the specified duration may beone minute. In some examples, the specified duration may be fiveminutes. In some examples, the specified duration may be configuredusing the status display system. In some examples, the specifiedduration may be restarted any time any button on switch status display410 and/or any other status display of the status display system isoperated. The one or more navigation buttons may further include a Backbutton 404. Back button 404 may be used to return to a previously viewedstatus display of the status display system. Switch status display 410may further include an intensity control 406. In some examples,intensity control 406 may operate similarly to intensity control 340and/or 380.

Switch status display 410 may further include one or more buttons foraccessing other levels in a hierarchy of the status display system. ALine Card button 414 may be used to access further information on anyline cards installed in the switch. A RPM button 416 may be used toaccess further information on any RPMs installed in the switch. A FanTray button 418 may be used to access further information on any fantrays and/or cooling modules installed in the switch. A SFM button 420may be used to access further information on any SFMs installed in theswitch. A Power button 422 may be used to access further information onany power supply modules installed in the switch. A Chassis button 424may be used to access further information on a chassis housing theswitch.

Switch status display 410 may further include one or more labels fordisplaying further status indications. A System IP label 426 may be usedto display a layer 3 and/or IP address for the switch. A System MAClabel 428 may be used to display a layer 2 and/or media access control(MAC) address for the switch.

FIG. 4B shows a simplified diagram of a line cards status display 430according to some embodiments. As shown in FIG. 4B, line cards statusdisplay 430 includes various forms of indicia designed to convey statusinformation regarding line cards installed in the switch. In someexamples, line cards status display 430 may be displayed on statusdisplay panel 260. In some examples, line cards status display 430 maybe displayed in response to activating Line Card button 414 on switchstatus display 410. Line cards status display 430 includes a label 432indicating that line cards status display 430 is displaying statusinformation associated any line cards installed in the switch.

Line cards status display 430 includes one or more navigation buttons.The one or more navigation buttons may include the Home button 402and/or the Back button 404. The one or more navigation buttons mayfurther include a More button 408. More button 408 may be used to accessmore status information than may currently be displayed on the linecards status display 430. In some examples, the more status informationmay include additional buttons and/or labels to access additionalfeatures of the status display system associated with line cards. Linecards status display 430 may further include the intensity control 406.

Line cards status display 430 may further include one or more buttonsfor accessing other levels in the hierarchy of the status displaysystem. A LC0 button 434 may be used to access further information online card 0 installed in the switch. A LC1 button 434 through a LC4button 442 may be used to access further information on line cards 1through 4 respectively. In some examples, when more than five line cardsare installed in the switch, More button 408 may be used to accessadditional LC* buttons for those additional line cards.

FIG. 4C shows a simplified diagram of a line card status display 450according to some embodiments. As shown in FIG. 4C, line card statusdisplay 450 includes various forms of indicia designed to convey statusinformation regarding a line card (e.g., line card 0). In some examples,line card status display 450 may be displayed on status display panel260. In some examples, line card status display 450 may be displayed inresponse to activating LC0 button 434 on line cards status display 430.Line card status display 450 includes a label 452 indicating that linecard status display 450 is displaying status information associated withline card 0.

Line card status display 450 includes one or more navigation buttons.The one or more navigation buttons may include the Home button 402, theBack button 404, and/or the More button 408. Line card status display450 may further include the intensity control 406.

Line card status display 450 may further include one or more buttons foraccessing other levels in the hierarchy of the status display system. AnINIT OK button 454 may be used to indicate a status of initialization ofline card 0 and/or retrieve additional status information associatedwith the initialization of line card 0. A PWR OK button 456 may be usedto indicate a power status and/or retrieve additional status informationassociated with the power of line card 0. A Temp OK button 458 may beused to indicate a temperature and/or retrieve additional statusinformation associated with the temperature of line card 0. An ON LINEbutton 460 may be used to indicate an on line status and/or retrieveadditional status information associated with the on line state of linecard 0. One or more port buttons 464 may be used to retrieve statusinformation associated with the various ports of line card 0.

Line card status display 450 may further include one or more labels fordisplaying further status indications. As an example, a LC-TYPE label426 may be used to display a type of line card 0.

FIG. 4D shows a simplified diagram of a port status display 470according to some embodiments. As shown in FIG. 4D, port status display470 includes various forms of indicia designed to convey statusinformation regarding a port (e.g., port 1 of line card 0). In someexamples, port status display 470 may be displayed on status displaypanel 260. In some examples, port status display 470 may be displayed inresponse to activating a Port 1button included in the one or more portbuttons 478 on line card status display 450. Port status display 470includes a label 472 indicating that port status display 470 isdisplaying status information associated with port 1 of line card 0.

Port status display 470 includes one or more navigation buttons. The oneor more navigation buttons may include the Home button 402, the Backbutton 404, and/or the More button 408. Port status display 470 mayfurther include the intensity control 406.

Port status display 470 may further include one or more buttons foraccessing other levels in the hierarchy of the status display system. APort 1 Admin Enabled OK button 474 may be used to indicate a status ofadministration of port 1 of line card 0 and/or retrieve additionalstatus information associated with the administration of port 1 of linecard 0. One or more additional port status buttons 478 may be used toindicate and/or retrieve additional status information associated withthe link, port speed, and/or auto-negotiation of port 1 of line card 0.Port status display 470 may further include one or more labels fordisplaying further status indications. As an example, a PORT-TYPE label476 may be used to display a type of port 1 of line card 0. One or moreadditional port status labels 480 may be used to display address (e.g.,an IP address and/or a MAC address) and/or other status informationassociated with port 1 of line card 0.

FIG. 5A shows a simplified diagram of a power supplies status display510 according to some embodiments. As shown in FIG. 5A, power suppliesstatus display 510 includes various forms of indicia designed to conveystatus information regarding power supplies installed in the switch. Insome examples, power supplies status display 510 may be displayed onstatus display panel 260. In some examples, power supplies statusdisplay 510 may be displayed in response to activating Power button 422on switch status display 410. Power supplies status display 510 includesa label 512 indicating that power supplies status display 510 isdisplaying status information associated with the power suppliesinstalled on the switch.

Power supplies status display 510 includes one or more navigationbuttons. The one or more navigation buttons may include the Home button402 and/or the Back button 404. Power supplies status display 510 mayfurther include the intensity control 406. Power supplies status display510 may further include one or more power supply selection buttons 514for accessing additional status information on each of the powersupplies installed in the switch.

Power supplies status display 510 further demonstrates use of visualqueuing to display status information associated with each of the powersupplies. As shown by the visual queuing in FIG. 5A, power supplies #0,1, 4, 5, and 7 are functioning normally, power supplies #3 and 6 are notinstalled, and power supply #2 is in a warning or an error state. Insome examples, the visual queuing may include different intensitiesand/or brightnesses of the respective power supply selection buttons514. In some examples a lighter power supply selection button mayindicate that a respective power supply is not installed. In someexamples, a darker power supply selection button may indicate that arespective power supply is in a warning or an error state. In someexamples, patterning may be used instead of and/or in addition tointensity. In some examples, the visual queuing may include use ofcolor. In some examples, green may indicate an installed and functioningpower supply, white an uninstalled power supply, and yellow and/or redmay indicate a warning or an error state. In some examples, the visualqueuing may include use of flashing. In some examples, the visualqueuing may include use of a change in an outer border of the respectivebutton.

FIG. 5B shows a simplified diagram of a SFMs status display 530according to some embodiments. As shown in FIG. 5B, SFMs status display530 includes various forms of indicia designed to convey statusinformation regarding SFMs installed in the switch. In some examples,SFMs status display 530 may be displayed on status display panel 260. Insome examples, SFMs status display 530 may be displayed in response toactivating SFM button 420 on switch status display 410. SFMs statusdisplay 530 includes a label 532 indicating that SFMs status display 530is displaying status information associated with the SFMs installed onthe switch.

SFMs status display 530 includes one or more navigation buttons. The oneor more navigation buttons may include the Home button 402 and/or theBack button 404. SFMs status display 530 may further include theintensity control 406. SFMs status display 530 may further include oneor more SFM selection buttons 534 for accessing additional statusinformation on each of the SFMs installed in the switch. SFMs statusdisplay 530 may further include one or more SFM Fan Tray selectionbuttons 536 for accessing additional status information on each of theSFM fan trays installed in the switch.

SFMs status display 530 further demonstrates use of visual queuing,similar to that used in power supplies status display 510, to displaystatus information associated with each of the SFMs and SFM fan trays.As shown by the visual queuing in FIG. 5B, SFM 0, SFM 1, SFM fan tray 0,and SFM fan tray 1 are functioning normally, SFM3 is not installed, andSFM 2 is in a warning or an error state.

FIGS. 6A-6C show simplified diagrams of status message displaysaccording to some embodiments. As shown in FIG. 6A, a status messagedisplay 610 may be used to display a switch fault. In some examples,status message display 610 may be displayed on status display panel 260.Status message display 610 includes a switch fault label 612 and aninsufficient power available button 614. In some examples, statusmessage display 610 and insufficient power available button 614 may bedisplayed in response to installation of a new module in the switch. Insome examples, upon installation of the new module in the switch, theinstalled power supply modules may no longer be able to supply enoughpower for the new module. In some examples, the new module may be aswitching module and/or a cooling module. In some examples, insufficientpower available button 614 may be activated to display more informationassociated with the insufficient power available fault.

As shown in FIG. 6B, a status message display 620 may be used to displaya switch fault. In some examples, status message display 620 may bedisplayed on status display panel 260. Status message display 620includes a switch fault label 622 and an insufficient cooling availablebutton 624. In some examples, status message display 620 andinsufficient cooling available button 624 may be displayed in responseto installation of a new module in the switch. In some examples, uponinstallation of the new module in the switch, the installed coolingmodules may no longer be able to supply enough cooling to adequatelycool the new module. In some examples, the new module may be a switchingmodule and/or a power supply module. In some examples, insufficientcooling available button 624 may be activated to display moreinformation associated with the insufficient cooling available fault.

As shown in FIG. 6C, a status message display 630 may be used to displaya switch fault. In some examples, status message display 630 may bedisplayed on status display panel 260. Status message display 630includes a switch fault label 632 and a low line condition button 634.In some examples, status message display 630 and low line conditionbutton 634 may be displayed in response to a power supply fault. In someexamples, low line condition button 634 may be activated to display moreinformation associated with the low line condition fault.

In some embodiments, other status message displays may be used todisplay other switch faults and/or error and/or warning conditions. Insome examples, one of the other status message displays may be used todisplay an out of range notice, such as an over temperature condition.In some examples, one of the other status message displays may include anotification for loss of communication with one of the installedmodules. In some examples, one of the other status message displays mayinclude a notification for a failure in the switch. In some examples,the failure in the switch may include a failure in a port, a failure ina network link, and the like.

FIGS. 7A-7B show simplified diagrams of status displays supportingcontrol according to some embodiments. As shown in FIG. 7A, a powerstatus display 710 may be used to display power status and/or controlpower in the switch. In some examples, power status display 710 may bedisplayed on status display panel 260. Power status display 710 includesa label 712 indicating that power status associated with the switch isbeing displayed, one or more navigation buttons, and the intensitycontrol. Power status display 710 further includes a power supply statusbutton 714 for accessing additional status information on the powersupply. Power status display 710 further includes a power cycle button716 for initiating a power cycle operation of the power supply.

As shown in FIG. 7B, a power cycle confirm status display 730 may beused to request confirmation of the power cycle request made byactivating power cycle button 716. In some examples, power cycle confirmstatus display 730 may be displayed on status display panel 260. Powercycle confirm status display 730 includes a label 732 indicating thatpower cycle confirmation is being requested. Power cycle confirm statusdisplay 730 further includes a power cycle confirmation button 724 forconfirming the power cycle request. Power cycling may be confirmed byactivating button 724. In some examples, the status display system mayinclude further safe guards before permitting an operator to initiate apower cycle and/or any other controls present in the status displaysystem.

According to some embodiments, the status display system may be used formore extensive control of the switch. In some examples, the statusdisplay system may provide additional status displays for configuringvirtually any feature of the switch. In some examples, the statusdisplay system may provide an alternative interface to a command lineinterface and/or some other configuration interface accessed through acomputing device and/or a workstation separate from the switch. In someexamples, the status display system may include one or more securityfeatures and/or security policies to prevent accidental, unwanted,and/or unauthorized changes from being made to the configuration of theswitch. In some examples, the status display system may allow changes tothe configuration of only some of the features of the switch.

FIG. 8 shows simplified diagrams of a status display hierarchy accordingto some embodiments. As shown in FIG. 8, a status display system mayinclude a hierarchy of status displays. The hierarchy of FIG. 8 includesfive example status displays including a status display 810, a switchstatus display 820, a line cards status display 830, a line card statusdisplay 840, and a port status display 850. Status displays 810, 820,830, 840, and 850 roughly correspond to status display 310, switchstatus display 410, line cards status display 430, line card statusdisplay 450, and port status display 470, respectively of FIGS. 3A and4A-4D, but depict an alternative layout that may be used for statusdisplays 810, 820, 830, 840, and 850 when a taller and narrower statusdisplay panel is used in place of status display panel 260.

In some examples, status display 810 may be a home display for thestatus display system. Status display 810 may provide general statusinformation associated with a switch and may include various labels,buttons, and/or controls. Status display 810 may further include a Touchto Activate button 815. In some examples, Touch to Activate button 815may be used to temporarily activate one or more status indicators in afashion similar to button 330. When activated, Touch to Activate button815 may further result in switch status display 820 being displayed asdepicted by a transition arrow 816.

Switch status display 820 may provide status information associated witha switch and may include various labels, buttons, and/or controls.Switch status display 820 may further include a Line Card button 825.When activated, Line Card button 825 may further result in line cardsstatus display 830 being displayed as depicted by a transition arrow826.

Line cards status display 830 may provide status information associatedwith any line cards installed in the switch and may include variouslabels, buttons, and/or controls. Line cards status display 830 mayfurther include a LC5 button 835. When activated, LC5 button 835 mayfurther result in line card status display 840 being displayed asdepicted by a transition arrow 836.

Line card status display 840 may provide status information associatedwith line card 5 and may include various labels, buttons, and/orcontrols. Line card status display 840 may further include a P1 button845. When activated, P1 button 845 may further result in port statusdisplay 850 being displayed as depicted by a transition arrow 846.Similarly, port status display 850 may provide status informationassociated with port 1 of line card 5 and may include various labels,buttons, and/or controls.

According to some embodiments, status displays 810, 820, 830, 840,and/or 850 may demonstrate using buttons 815, 825, 835, and/or 845 tomove to lower levels of the hierarchy of the status display system. Insome examples, transitions arrows 816, 826, 836, and/or 846 mayrepresent possible transitions between displays screens and levels ofthe hierarchy of the status display system. Status displays 820, 830,840, and/or 850 may further include navigation buttons for furthermoving between status displays and/or levels of the hierarchy of thestatus display system.

A Back button 861 on port status display 850 may be used to return to aprevious status display. In some examples, when port status display 850is reached via transition arrow 846, activation of Back button 861 mayresult in a return to line card status display 840 as depicted by atransition arrow 862. Similarly Back buttons 863, 865, and 867 may beused to transition to previous status display screens 830, 820, and 810,respectively, as depicted by transition arrows 864, 866, and 868,respectively. In some examples, other status displays (not shown) in thestatus display system may include similar Back buttons for supportingnavigation through the levels of the hierarchy of the status displaysystem.

A Home button 890 on port status display 850 may be used to return tothe home screen for the status display system. When activated Homebutton 890 may return to status display 810 as depicted by a transitionarrow 895. In some examples, status displays 820, 830, and/or 840 aswell as other status displays (not shown) in the status display systemmay include similar Home buttons for supporting navigation to the homescreen of the status display system. In some examples, activation of anyof the Home buttons may disable the one or more status indicators.

As discussed above and further emphasized here, FIGS. 2B-8 are merelyexamples which should not unduly limit the scope of the claims. One ofordinary skill in the art would recognize many variations, alternatives,and modifications. In some embodiments, different configurations and/orlayouts of the various status displays are possible. In some examples,the status display screen may support scrolling, panning, and/orzooming. In some embodiments, the status display system may include oneor more user preferences. In some examples, the status display systemmay support internationalization. In some examples, the status displaysystem may support custom color palettes. In some embodiments, thestatus display panel 260 may be associated with a user input device forselecting the buttons and/or controls on the status displays. In someexamples, the user input device may include a touch screen. In someexamples, the user input device may include one or more buttons around aperimeter of the status display panel 260. In some examples, the userinput device may include a joy stick, touch pad, and/or otherpositioning device.

FIG. 9 shows a simplified diagram of a method 900 of managing a switchaccording to some embodiments. As shown in FIG. 9, the method 900includes a process 910 for detecting modules in a switch, a process 920for interrogating the detected modules, a process 930 for displayinginteractive status information, a process 940 for monitoring changes inthe switch, a process 950 for displaying informational messages, aprocess 960 for activating status indicators, and a process 970 formanaging the modules. According to certain embodiments, the method 900of managing a switch can be performed using variations among theprocesses 910-970 as would be recognized by one of ordinary skill in theart. In some embodiments, one or more of the processes 910-970 may beimplemented, at least in part, in the form of executable code stored onnon-transient, tangible, machine readable media that when run by one ormore processors (e.g., one or more processors of a switch and/or one ormore processors of one or more switching modules) may cause the one ormore processors to perform one or more of the processes 910-970.

At the process 910, modules in a switch are detected. Before statusinformation associated with the switch may be displayed and/or managed,the status information may be collected from the modules included in theswitch. In some examples, the modules may include one or more modules ofeach of various types. In some examples, the types may include powersupply modules, cooling modules, and/or switching modules. In someexamples, the switching modules may include line cards, RPMs, SFMs,uplink modules, and/or the like. In some examples, the switch may be achassis-based switch. In some examples, the modules may be the modulesinstalled in the slots 121-129, 131-139, and/or 140 of chassis 100.

According to some embodiments, the modules may be detected using aswitch operating system. In some examples, the switch operating systemmay be the Force10 Operating System. In some examples, the switchoperating system may be executed by one or more processors of theswitch. In some examples, the switch operating system may be executed byone or more processors of a RPM installed in the switch. In someexamples, the switch may include module detection circuitry, one or moresystem management buses (SMBs), one or more intelligent platformmanagement interfaces (IPMIs), and/or the like for supporting thedetection of the modules. In some examples, process 910 may be initiatedby power-up of the switch.

At the process 920, the detected modules are interrogated. In someexamples, the switch operating system may interrogate the one or moremodules by exchanging one or more messages with each of the detectedmodules to determine status information associated with each of thedetected modules. In some examples, the messages may be exchanged usingthe one or more SMBs, the one or more IPMIs, and/or the like. In someexamples, the switch operating system may receive various kinds ofinformation associated with each module. In some examples, theinformation associated with each module may include a type, one or moreidentifiers, one or more module numbers, one or more version numbers,one or more addresses, power requirements, voltage requirements,temperature limits, cooling requirements, and the like. In someexamples, when the module is a switching module, the informationassociated with the switch module may further include a number of ports,port speeds, and/or the like. In some examples, when the module is apower supply module, the information associated with the power supplymodule may include voltages supplied, currents supplied, and/or thelike. In some examples, when the module is a cooling module, theinformation associated with the cooling module may include a number offan trays, a number of fans, a cooling capacity, an air flow direction,and/or the like. In some examples, the information associated with eachmodule may be retrieved from memory in each module. In some examples,the memory may include one or more types of storage media commonly usedin computing systems including ROM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, Flash, RAM, andthe like. In some examples, the switch operating system may update theinformation associated with each module periodically. In some examples,the switch operating system may maintain one or more data structureswith the retrieved information.

At the process 930, interactive status information is displayed. Using astatus display panel, such as status display panel 260, the switchoperating system may display status of the switch based on theinformation retrieved during process 920. In some examples, the switchoperating system may use the status display panel to display one or morestatus screens for interacting with an operator of the switch. In someexamples, the switch operating system may display the status displaysystem described in greater detail in FIGS. 3A-8.

At the process 940, the switch is monitored for changes. In someexamples, processes 910 and/or 920 may be performed periodically toobtain updated information about the modules installed in the switch. Insome examples, the switch operating system may detect removal of amodule. In some examples, the switch operating system may detectinstallation of a new module. In some examples, monitoring for changesmay include using the module detection circuitry, the one or more SMBs,the one or more IPMIs, and/or the like. In some examples, the switchoperating system may detect over and/or under voltages, and/or one ormore out of range temperatures.

At the process 950, informational messages are displayed. In someexamples, one or more conditions in the switch may result in aninformational message to be displayed. In some examples, theinformational message may preempt use of the interactive use of thestatus display panel during process 930. In some examples, theinformational message may be associated with a warning and/or an errorcondition that should be displayed. In some examples, the warning and/orthe error condition may be a low line condition and result in themessage display of FIG. 6C. In some examples, the informational messagemay be associated with a failure in installing a module. In someexamples, the failure may be associated with the insufficient poweravailable and/or the insufficient cooling available message displays ofFIGS. 6A and 6B, respectively.

At the process 960, status indicators are activated. In some examples,the switch operating system may temporarily activate the statusindicators of one or more modules of the switch. In some examples, thestatus indicators may be the status indicators 230. In some examples,the status indicators may be activated only during periods when thestatus display panel is being interactively used. In some examples, thestatus indicators may be activated as discussed above with respect toFIG. 3B.

At the process 970, the modules are managed. In some examples, theswitch operating system may manage the switch and/or the installedmodules normally. In some examples, the status display system may beused to solicit control instructions from the operator. In someexamples, the control instructions may include a power cycle confirmoperation and/or other operations as discussed above with respect toFIGS. 7A and 7B. In some examples, the control instructions may permitmore extensive control and/or configuration of the switch and/or theinstalled modules.

Some embodiments of a switch may include non-transient, tangible,machine readable media that include executable code that when run by oneor more processors may cause the one or more processors (e.g., one ormore processors of a switch and/or one or more processors of one or moreswitching modules) to perform the processes of method 900 as describedabove. Some common forms of machine readable media that may include theprocesses of method 900 are, for example, floppy disk, flexible disk,hard disk, magnetic tape, any other magnetic medium, CD-ROM, any otheroptical medium, punch cards, paper tape, any other physical medium withpatterns of holes, RAM, PROM, EPROM, FLASH-EPROM, any other memory chipor cartridge, and/or any other medium from which a processor or computeris adapted to read.

Although illustrative embodiments have been shown and described, a widerange of modification, change and substitution is contemplated in theforegoing disclosure and in some instances, some features of theembodiments may be employed without a corresponding use of otherfeatures. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize manyvariations, alternatives, and modifications. Thus, the scope of theinvention should be limited only by the following claims, and it isappropriate that the claims be construed broadly and in a mannerconsistent with the scope of the embodiments disclosed herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for managing a switch, the methodcomprising: exchanging, by a first module of the switch, one or moremessages with one or more detected modules of the switch to determinestatus information associated with each of the one or more detectedmodules, and a type of each of the one or more detected modules, whereinthe first module is selected from a group of modules consisting of aswitching module, a route processing module (RPM), and a cooling module;determining a hierarchy among the one or more detected modules of theswitch based on the determined type of each of the modules of theswitch; organizing the status information associated with each of theone or more detected modules of the switch consistent with thedetermined hierarchy; displaying the organized status information on astatus display panel mounted on the first module of the switch on aplurality of status display screens, each of the status display screensdisplaying information at a corresponding level of the hierarchy andhaving one or more user interface elements for navigating between acurrent status display screen at a first level of the hierarchy to oneor more of the status display screens at other levels of the hierarchy;and managing, by an operator, the switch using the organized statusinformation displayed on the status display panel.
 2. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising detecting a fault in one of the one or moredetected modules of the switch, the fault selected from a groupconsisting of insufficient cooling, insufficient power, loss ofcommunication, and switch failure.
 3. The method of claim 2, furthercomprising detecting insufficient cooling in response to installation ofa new module in the switch.
 4. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: detecting addition or removal of a second module of theswitch during operation of the switch; and updating the statusinformation based on information associated with the added or removedsecond module.
 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising temporarilyactivating status indicators in response to active use of the statusdisplay panel, active use including navigation up or down the determinedhierarchy using one or more navigation buttons.
 6. The method of claim5, wherein active use corresponds to one or more of the group consistingof activation of a line card user interface element, activation of a RPMuser interface element, and activation of a switching fabric module(SFM) user interface element.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein thestatus information further includes power requirements, temperaturelimits, and cooling requirements.
 8. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising applying a security policy to prevent undesirableconfiguration of the switch.
 9. A non-transitory machine-readable mediumcomprising a plurality of machine-readable instructions which, whenexecuted by one or more processors associated with a first module of aswitch, are adapted to cause the one or more processors to perform amethod comprising: exchanging one or more messages with one or moredetected modules of the switch to determine status informationassociated with each of the one or more detected modules, and a type ofeach of the one or more detected modules, wherein the first module isselected from a group of modules consisting of a switching module, aroute processing module (RPM), and a cooling module, wherein the firstmodule is interchangeably installable in one or more slots of theswitch; determining a hierarchy among the one or more detected modulesof the switch based on the determined type of each of the modules of theswitch; organizing the status information associated with each of theone or more detected modules of the switch consistent with thedetermined hierarchy; displaying the organized status information on astatus display panel mounted on the first module of the switch on aplurality of status display screens, each of the status display screensdisplaying information at a corresponding level of the hierarchy andhaving one or more user interface elements for navigating between acurrent status display screen at a first level of the hierarchy to oneor more of the status display screens at other levels of the hierarchy;and managing, by an operator, the switch using the organized statusinformation displayed on the status display panel.
 10. Thenon-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 9, the method furthercomprising detecting a fault in one of the one or more detected modulesof the switch, the fault selected from a group consisting ofinsufficient cooling, insufficient power, loss of communication, andswitch failure.
 11. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim10, the method further comprising detecting insufficient cooling inresponse to installation of a new module in the switch.
 12. Thenon-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 9, wherein the statusinformation further includes power requirements, temperature limits, andcooling requirements.
 13. A switching device, comprising: a firstmodule, wherein the first module is selected from a group of modulesconsisting of a switching module, a route processing module (RPM), and acooling module; and one or more second modules; wherein the first moduleis configured to: detect whether each of the one or more second modulesare installed; exchange one or more messages with the one or more secondmodules to determine status information associated with the one or moresecond modules, and a type of each of the one or more detected modules;determine a hierarchy among the one or more second modules of theswitching device based on the determined type of each of the modules ofthe switching device; organize the status information associated witheach of the one or more second modules of the switching deviceconsistent with the determined hierarchy; and display the organizedstatus information on a status display panel mounted on the first moduleof the switching device on a plurality of status display screens, eachof the status display screens displaying information at a correspondinglevel of the hierarchy and having one or more user interface elementsfor navigating between a current status display screen at a first levelof the hierarchy to one or more of the status display screens at otherlevels of the hierarchy; and wherein the organized status informationdisplayed on the status display panel is usable by an operator to managethe switching device.
 14. The switching device of claim 13, wherein thefirst module is further configured to detect a fault in one of the oneor more second modules of the switching device, the fault selected froma group consisting of insufficient cooling, insufficient power, loss ofcommunication, and switch failure.
 15. The switching device of claim 14,wherein insufficient cooling is detected in response to installation ofa new module in the switching device.
 16. The switching device of claim13, wherein the status information further includes power requirements,temperature limits, and cooling requirements.
 17. The switching deviceof claim 13, further comprising a chassis including a plurality ofslots, wherein the first module and one or more second modules of theswitching device are installed in the plurality of slots; and whereinthe first module is further configured to: detect addition or removal ofa third module during operation of the switching device; and update thestatus information based on information associated with the added orremoved third module.
 18. The switching device of claim 13, wherein thestatus display panel is a touchscreen liquid crystal display (LCD) andis configured to allow changes to a configuration of the switchingdevice using the status display panel mounted on the first module of theswitching device, wherein the status display panel may be partially orfully disabled to reduce power consumption and/or cooling needs of thefirst module of the switching device.
 19. The switching device of claim13, wherein the first module and one or more second modules are coupledtogether using one or more system management buses (SMBs) or one or moreintelligent platform management interfaces (IPMIs).
 20. The switchingdevice of claim 13, wherein the first module is further configured to:periodically reinterrogate the one or more second modules; and updatethe status information based on information associated with thereinterrogation.